davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
GRAVEYARD INSURANCE.
TIE Secrets Of the Business Gnblush-
imGiy Given Away.

A Lansing (Mich.) special says ::
There were some startling develop
ments in the House Committee on In
surance to-day, the subject of grave
ward "ins1rance being under con-
sideration. The most damaging adj
missions were made. Fraud, forgery,
theft, and extortiOn were admitted with
a s0nqJTOid that staggered the commit
tee. \. A. Cunning, of Mason, said
he had done some graveyard-insurance
business, and was willing to tell the
committee about it.
"1here were five of us, said Mr..
Dunning. owe got our license under
the law limited the age OF the persons
insured to eighty years ; charged fee
of SIS for the first 81 600 and $40 for
$1,000, and made money. We pre-
tended to have a medical examination.
The blank form was generally made out
by the agent or the beneficiary. We
asked no questions We had annual
dues of 80 and kept out 2Opercent. OF oil
assessments to pay expenses and afford
Us a profit.
- w nat, dShtQ NIill ildli SiOoo,
"was your object in starting the COM
pany?"
Mr.. Cunning looked surprised at this
question, and answered
"Why, to make money.
"Then the more deaths the more
money!"
"Frccisely.'
docs the other so per cent. so to
the benefciaries?
Not ell OF it, We used to compro-
mise when We could"
There are twenty thousand old peo-
pie in Michigan insured in these COM
panies, Mr.. Dunning continued, land
not one thousand of them know it.
When a death occurs the assessment
brings in twelve times as much as is
needed to pay any one loss.
Continuing, Mr.. Dunning said that
during the year he was with the com
pany the highest death loss paid was
$500, of which the beneficiary got only
s75, while the rest went to the man who
compromised the case for the company.
He said the returns were falsified so
that the State Insurance Commissioner
would suspect nothing.
Warren Pond, of Charlotte, told a
story similar to Mr.. Cummings.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
y he Rne wing Railroad.

We had lost sight OF the Durham,
Tlue Wing and Clarksville Railroad.
The scheme has not been abandoned.
The GAINESVILLE Banner Of Truth says
Of it:
Nr. william Raker OF Blue Wing, superin-
iondcniof Tho Durham, Blue Wing, aad Clarks-
vile rniiIoad. was In Ciarksviilc on last Mon-
day enihuscd with the prospects OF his roal,
aud cup 10 the hubp with good cheer and nope
a. 10 Its carly completion. lie says tho woIS
81 grading IS progressing rapidly, ana that III
six months time the iron horse will be snoring
bis way tack and forth from Blue wing 70
ClRrsgillo. These Blue Wing and ClarksViile
rniiroadeTs have been pursuing the even tenor
q their way, striking hard ticks ald toiling
increasingly, instead Of pulling ond blowing,
which lastnalned diversion, 10 use provincial
phraso, is "no good" We have always said
ihore was q solid motalc ring OF tempered
steel and fire-uroof nrmness and worth about
The Representatives Of this railroad that In
spite Of any and all discouraging clrcum-
Stances gave us hope aud confidence In the
ultimate success Of their plans.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
UARRISONBURG.
The New Public Building-A Dis.
eoyery.


Correspondence OF the Richmond Dlspa.ch.l
MARCH IL, 1887.
The appropriation by Congress Of
$40, 600 additional for enlarging the
public building at this place is source
of much congratulation by our people.
This money will be applied to the con-
struction of q United States courtroom
and Offices for the court officials. 1t is
now thought TO be very likely that the
internal-revenue office will be returned
to this place from Staunton, as the room
originally intended forthe United States
Courtroom will make fine apartments
for Collector Shepperd. The building
as originally planned will be ready for
occupancy by the postmaster here on
April 1st, and it is intended to have the
revenue office here by August list.
Major Archibald Taylor, well known
citizen of this county, died at his home
near Keezletown, few days ago OF
cancer Of the throat aged fifty-nine
years.
j. y. Breeder, native OF Page
county, who was arrested here on Sat
urday and afterwards confessed that he
had stolen a horse which he had in his
possession from Mr.. j. W. Orebaugh,
of StOnewall, Augusta county, is still IN
jail here awaiting the action of the Au-
gusta-county authorities.
Considerable excitement has been
created here this week by the assertion
OF some parties that rich vein OF
manganese had been found on the
farm of Mr. Cummings, about "A mile
and Il half east of Harrisonburg. The
discovery was made by some Pennsyl-
vanians who are employed on our wa
ter-works. A number OF hands are now
at work testing the matter, and if it
should turn out as fayorably as claimed
it may cause n permanent boom in Har-
risonburg.
A bill will be presented before the
coming extra session of the Legislature
for the relief Of the sureties on the Of
fetal bond OF Samuel r. Sterling, late
treasurer of this county. 1t is also
probable that q bill will be offered
abolishing the requirement of security
from county treasurers, and thus allow
ing any default which may occur in flu
ture to rest upon the whole people OF
the county electing the official instead
of upon a few who may be upon the
officials bond. 1t is claimed that such
q law would make the people of the
counties much more careful as to the
men they select for theses Offices, and
also much more watchful of them after
they are elected.
Harrisonburg is becoming n noted
mineral water mart. The Osceola Wa
ter Company has just been organized
as new friend to the afflicted.
Two car-loads of colored people passed
through this place on Wednesday for
Pennsylvania, where they will be put
to work constructing railroads.
The Republicans of this county seem
to be in considerable trouble. A few
weeks ago they determined to hold a
convention to nominate candidates for
county offices. Now they don't know
how it will work. They seem to fear
that they will be whipped if they do,
and will be whipped if they don't.
Colonel O'Ferrall returned to Wash
ington this week.
The rainy, mild weather of the past
several weeks has been most favorable
to the growing wheat crop, and it is
now looking very fine for the season of
the wear. h.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
CHASE CITY.
The Crops Political = Religious
Other Notes.

Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dspatch.l
MARCH Il, 1887.
Farmers will curtail the area OF to-
bacco-land this year, and endeayor to
enrich the land and produce a better
quality.
The cultivation of cotton as substi
tute for tobacco was attempted in this
county few years ago, but it has been
generally abandoned as unsuitable to
the climate and soil.
The large sales of manufactured fer
tilizers made to the farming community
for several years on credit have caused
in many instances embarrassments and
losses, and in future the toilers of the
soil will buy it very sparingly.
The Republican nominating conven-
ton for county officers met at the court
house of this county this week. AS
their majority is so great in this county
a Nomination would be equivalent to an
election. The convention found its own
weight too heavy to bear, and rival fac
tons divided it. Both sides made nomi-
nations, and each claims to be regular.
One convention nominated for Coun-
ty Court Clerk, w. A. Jameson Cir
cult Court Clerk, w. G. Curties; Trea-
surer, G.. n. Wells; Commemorative
Attorney, Il. 7. Thorp; Sheriff, w. II.
Jones for the two Commissioners OF
the Revenue, Leander Reed and John
ID. Hudson-both colored. The other
convention nominated J. n. Sloan for
County Court Clerk, two colored men
for Commissioners of the Revenue, the
same men for Treasurer and Circuit
Court Clerk, and left the nominations
of Sheriff and Commonwealth Attor
ney vacant, to be filed by two Demo
Gratis, who are to be selected by this
Republican faction.
The new Episcopal church will be
opened for the first time for public
worship tomorrow. Rev. p. NJ. Boy
den. the rector, viii officiate.
The Methodists have commenced the
building of fine church here.
Among the fourteen passengers on o
train passing here last week thirteen of
them were drummers. Now that it will
be unconstitutional to tax them the in
hux will doubtless be greater. They
ere the life and support Of town and
country hotels, and their patronage is
eagerly sought.
II. j. Smith, now confined in our
county Jail under sentence OF death for
murder, was TO have been tried on the
10th Of this month upon the issue of
insanity but now, bysthe agreement
of his counsel and the attorney for the
Commonwealth, the case has been con-
tinued TO future term on account OF
Smiths physical condition.
1t was truly visit OF the ancients
when citizen of thistown, now ninety.
one years old, drove out in a buggy
yesterday to visit neighbor four miles
distant, who is eighty-nine years old.
i
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
He STOLE 100000.
A System OF Cheating that Extended
over Ten Years-Detectives
Looking for Him.

New York SUM-
The populations OF Edward N. New
man, the confidential book-keeper of
the clothing firm of L. Levenson Il Co.,
which failed on Wednesday, appear, as
told yesterday, to be much larger than
at first supposed, and to have continued
over a period of about ten years. The
wonder is now, not that the firm failed,
but that it should have kept afoat so
long. Mr.. Michael Levenson said yes
terday that the examination OF the
books by Expert Randall had been
carried on far enough to convince
him (Mr. Levenson) that Newman had
stolen in all about $780, 900 instead OF
$50, 000, as surmised after cursory ex-
animation of the books. The amounts
taken at any one time were always
small, however, and in consequence
were likely to escape notice. No amount
exceeding $500 he'd been taken at any
one time so far as known, although in
one case there was an entry in the
books to balance thefts aggregating
$4,000. The payroll, running from
$4,000 to S15, 900 month, had never
been tempered with, the stealing being
done by manipulating the accounts
with customers and those Of whom the
firm made purchases.
One of Newman's schemes was to
suppress checks drawn by the firm in
payment of materials bought. The bill
would be hung up for time.
"Suppose, said Examiner Randall,
in illustrating the scheme, "a bill was
brought in for $1,000. A check would
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH. SUNDAY, MARCH 10. 1897

ao drawn for the amount and stowee
ayny by Newman il the amolnt OF oa.n
n bank happened to be too low 70 sun Az
lis purposes. Then when u Deca .1,o
later on absolutely necessary 10 pay sno
iii lie would fiji in another check Iol
.hurdred and fifty dollars. Inc laoi
flat IL was not written 'one hunurea
and fifty dollars would be fIstarai,y
overlooked whore number OF cnec ''5
were 10 he signed at once. hiter"aLu
the rascal would write ten before tnc
hundred and pay tho bull. Inc ptvi'e
Of the firm were considerable, anu ,io
usually wnited between the steals ~,
motifs to accumulate. Then ne diViuea
lie profits with the proprietors. -,
1--WE thought HIM perfect gent,Ie-
man and model employ" said Mr.
Michael Levenson. 4" He was here tue
FIRST one in the morning he did not go
out for luncheon, preierring 70 sena ior
n sandwich or something of the kind.
lie never left at night until he saw tnH'
everything was closed up ready Tor tne
next DAYS business. Now we sac way
he was here so steadily. No one couid
make an examination Of the books
likely to lead TO detection without ms
knowing it He had no bad habits tn ina
we kxw of. He was widower. we
have detectives looking for hlm, ont
what is the use? He would get baii,
and see by the .Sun that the district
attorney has neither time nor place Tor
trying bail cases"
"What was the first thing that ex-
cited your suspicion ?"
"Ris disappearance. We had no
ticed before that that we were constant
" short and could not account Tor 1t,
as we knew we were selling plenty OF
goods at profitable prices. We had
Newman prepare statement OF our
affairs in November. OF course 1t
showed our capital unimpaired."
"You seem to have more assets than
liabilities, now"
eyes, if we could sell them in the reg
ular way, but if the assignee sells them
be cannot hope to get more than fifty
cents on the dollar. Then it IS fact
that those who owe a bankrupt firm
never pay until obliged to do so. Debts
perfectly good in the ordinary run OF
trade will be impossible to collect.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13

have been swept out OF political exist
encc. So long rs the BLAnEs, the SHER-
Mans, The BourELLEs, the HoAns, the
FoRAKRRs, and such like traducers and
hateis of the South have the ear OF any
considerable portion of the northern
people self-intercst will dictat taat the
South remain solid.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
and three daughters, and Mrs General
Maliniux, OF New York, are among the
late arrivals.

and three daughters, and Mrs. General
NalinIux. of New York, are among the
late arrivals.
/ lieutenant Crosby P. Miller, Fourth
artillery, our popular post adiutant, has
received orders 10 join his regiment for
nssipnment to duty as regimental quar-
tcrmaster. Lieutenant Miller has been
locn stationed here for the past three
wears. during which he has made hosts
of friends, and his departure is uni
veTsally regretted.
an impromptu german was arranged
this afternoon and is now IN progress
NJ the Hygeia. Ii viii close at ii
o'clock with q supper at Captain
Pooth's. quarters, Just across the street.
Mrs. Catlin and Rae, OF New York,
and Mrs. Biddle, of Detroit, are the
,hopcrOncs. The german is led by
7 lieutenant Charles q. Treat, dancing
with Mrs. Booth. Among the promi-
nent people dancing are Miss Kathe-
rine Montague and Lieutenant Han
cock, United States army; Miss Free
land. Of Richmond, and Lieutenant
1alcott, OF the United States steamer
Ossipee; Miss Biddle. of Detroit, and
Lieutensnt Brooks; Miss Preston, of
davenport, and Lieutenant Hawthorne
Miss Anderson, of st. Louis, and Lieu
tenant Waite Miss Sloan, of Ph1adel-
phia, and Lieutenant Davenport, and
many others.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
At one of the churches at which me-

At one Of the churches at which me-
mortal servicesin honor of Mr.. BREcHER
were held the Rev. DIR. ARsnrAGE de-
scribed On interview he had had with
AIR. BEEcHER soon after the trial OF
1874. 81 asked him, How have you
managed to live through to- His eyes
filed with tears, and with half-choked
utterance he said to me 'ARM1TAGR, |
could not have lived through it if the
Lord had not strengthened the back for
the burden. Sometimes | thought |
must sink, but said: Lord, here is
my heart. Whatever others may say, L
know l am Thine"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
The nrummers, Decision.
he Editor Of he Dispach:

10 Ott E>uttO W rtc HtcpNtH'
Do not our own merchants pays high
tax Are not drummers merchants, or
agents of merchants, who in doing
business in State are as much enti-
tied to pay a tax on that business as her
own citizens? Are We to feed and build
up the trade of other States by cutting
the props from under our own mer-
chants? And when they fan, what then ?
Why, the foreign merchant puts on
the screw and grinds down mer-
cilessly, and the Supreme Court
says VIC have DO power as q State to
protect ourselves. ] do not know the
technicalities Of our drummer-license
law, or that of the recent decision, but
equity would seem to Inc to say that
the drummer owes the fee OF an ordi-
nary merchant. TO be placed on an
equality with our own merchants he
should pay as they do.
1t seems that our courts are deter
mined TO mystiiy the laws by clubbing
decisions on petty technicalities. IN
stead OF basing their decisions on the
broad principle Of justice.
We had better abandon State govern.
ments if such is 10 be the interpreta-
ton OF State's-rights. r.
HESRlcO, March Ii, 1887.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
The Solid South-Again.

The Philadelphia EOening 7cie-
graph, in an article on the solid South
and the charges made by Republicans
as TO how il is kept solid, deals the
Stslwarts some pretty heavy blows.
After stating that it "has not yet been
satisfactorily proved that, as a general
thing, the colored people of the South
do not exercise the privilege of SUI
frage as freely, or at least as intelli-
gently and honestly as do those OF the
North" Our contemporary adds:
In one shape OF another there are iniinids-
ton and other bad influences at work on
eieciion-day In the North rs well a. elsewhere
All the political purity Of the American people
IL not " b. found thlss side OF Mason & Dixon's
line, nor all the political impuriiy on the other
side. Besides. " the southern politicians have
bed trscks-which they indulge IN upon occa.
sion--to change the face Of the returns from
What they should be, IL would not DO unfair 10
suggest that they may have borrowed them
from The northern carpetbaggers aud Repub-
lean tree iancos and scsiawags whom the
North permitted and helped 70 mercllcssIy
prey upon the southern people during those
nne old reconstruction days, when elections
were held al the point OF Federal bayone,N.
WItu NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Fon 0Ouo ny niKEt-hlQlnQ
Federal troops. and when duly-eiectsd legls.
lsiuros were hustled cut OF existence by the
midnight orders OF iAndsulet Williams. Al.
torney-Gonerel Of the United States.
II the people OF the South should remember
tho reconstruction times, and also the rings
tie crimes against freedom and popular rights
a. ! The integrity OF States done In them, aud
doe BY so-caiied Republicans In the name Of
ifr Repubiican parry, Il should not surprise
e. ally oven NE National Union League thai
H. SDuth IL still sclidly Democratic
The Telegraph then concludes that
The solid South Is 10 DO and viii be, 10 the
fuilness OF tiIne, broken W the Law OF self
Interest. which Is the strongest " all
The 7elegraph's conciusionis as cor
rect as It's srrsignment of the Stalwarts
is just However, IL viii not BIO 10 the
interest Of tbs South TO divide until all
who countsnaDced the csrpet-bsg, seal.
lswag, and reconstruction saturnalia
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
SENATORIAL ELECTION.
Heavy Republican Losses in sac
Black District.
Special telegram to the Dlspatch.l

Special telegram to the Dlspatch.l
BURKEvmLE, Va, March 12.-The
election in this senatorial district to-day
to NIL the vacancy recently made by the
resignation of W. f. Gaines is in doubt.
This precinct gives Worsham (coloreO,
Republican, IA majority. Blackstone
gives 20 Democratic majority. Gaines
carried Burkeville by 434 and Black
stone by l59 last fall. This is total
Republican loss of 4S4 in the two pre-
cincts. The Republicans being dissatis-
fed with the nomination, no interest
was eyinced.
The news just received from Motto
way Courthouse is that the Republican
majority is 119, loss of nearly 300.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
Reserved Their Decision.

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
TAZEwELL COURTHOUSE, Va,
March 10, 1887.
The case of The Commonwealth Us.
w. G.. Baldwin, for the recent difficulty
in the courthouse, was heard to-day
before bench composed of three JUS
tees. The Commonwealth was repre-.
sented by J. N. Haman and the de-
fence by Messrs. Chapman Il Gillespie
and II. c. Anderson. The justices re-
served their decision.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13

The Philadelphia Times says 1T
is all right for Governor BEAVER to help
to establish a Christian college in China,
but be should at the same time remem-
Der and help to destroy the ring college
at Harrisburg" And he would not go
far wrong in attemptinga little mission
AIRY work in Philadelphia.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13

A.C. Austin, the crank who recently
gained notoriety in New York by stand
ing in front of Niblo's Theatre and
giving away cigars to passers-by. arrived
in Cincinnati on Sunday and wants to
hire Heuck's Opera-House to deliver a
lecture on religion. Austin has been
following the Black Crook Company and
some time ago picked out the homeliest
girl in the troupe and gave her dia-
mond ring.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
Marriage of an Army Officer.

Lieutenant James Russell Richards,
United States army, was married at
Springfield, Mo-, Tuesday, to Miss Bes-
sic Russell, daughter of Mr. John G..
Russell, a prominent citizen of that
place. Lieutenant Richards is a native
of Warren county, Va, a graduate OF
West Point, and has distinguished him
self in several of the Indian cam
paigns. The bride is also Virginian
by birth.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
by John T. Goddin.
Real Estate Agent and Auctioneer.
Rank and EInventh atreeta.

COMMISSIONERS AUCTION
SALE OF A PROFESSIONALLY INTEREST
IN THREE TRACTS OF LAND, CONTAINING
qOGETHEK ABOUT SIXTY SEVEN ACRES,
NEAR GLEN ALLEN, hENRlCO COUNTY.
EA.-By virtue 81 decree or the Circuit tojrt
of HenlieO county, entered On the 2..h % Fen
rrary, 1857, In the case Of Charles r. Taylor IS
Co. IS. Blackburn ana Gls., We will sell 81 pub
lie auction, In front Of honrico county court
MONDAY, MARCH II. 1887.
a, u O'Clock ~. the royeT6ionary interest Of
John G. Blackburn and wife In the following
described land-viz. -
I. A TRACT OF LAND containing FIVE
ACRES on the Mountain road, adjoining Glen
Allen Church, I'm lienricO county. with COM
Portable frame dwelling and other improve
?. a TRACT OF LAND containing FORTY
ACRES more or less, lying and being in tho coun-
ty Of henrico, adjoining the lauds OF A II.
; ord and others.
h. A. TRACT OF LAND containing TWENTY
TWO ACRES more or less, on the Mountain
road near Glen Allen church, adjoining the
lands Of Captain John Cousins, o. Melton, and
others.
TERMS: Ono third cash: balance in six
and Twelve months with bonds bearing into
rest, and title retained until al the purchase
money 10 paid and n conveyance ordered by the
Court. WILLIAM II. BEt EMDGE.
WILLIAM f. G.. GARNET,
CONWAY x. SANDS.
Special Commissioners.
II TIE CIRCUIT COURT or THs COUNTY or
HENRIC0-CnARLEs +. TAYLOR X CO., PLAIN
TIFFs. AGAINST BLACKBURN AND AIS, DE-
PENDANTS.
do hereby certify that Spcclel-Commission-
els William n. Beveridge, Conway K. Sands,
and ". +. G.. Ga-nett, Jr.. have given the bond
required OF them by tho decree entered la said
cause, on the gath OF February, lsS1.
Given under my hand this an dey 81 March,
ISL SAMUEL r. WADOlLL,
mis- Deputy Clerk ~ said Court.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13

1.-The suppression by the German
Government of over two hundred mu-
steal associations and fifty other socie-
ties in Alsace-Lorraine" affords as
surance that the tourist iii AlsaceLor-
raine may occasionally get nights
olaan
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13

"JoHN SHERMAN says his southern
visit has no political Significance
Right, JOHN it will not signify a cent
when the ballots are counted in the
next presidential election.